Facing the younger generation, Orochimaru had failed to land a hit after several attacks. He promptly changed his approach, switching from ninjutsu to close-range Taijutsu.
For some reason, Orochimaru's fighting style had changed dramatically. Now he stood in the middle of the courtyard with the Kusanagi Sword in hand and a faint smile on his face, watching Uchiha Itachi and the others nearby as if waiting for them to make the first move.
"Everyone, attack together!"
Kakashi gripped his short blade and barked the order. Running was out of the question when facing Orochimaru. He was a renowned ninja, and fleeing without a plan would only give him the chance to pick them off one by one. Besides, there was another oddly dressed person with Orochimaru. From their conversation, they seemed to be equals. Anyone who could act alongside Orochimaru was certainly no nobody.
With that, Kakashi charged first. Uchiha Itachi reacted just as quickly, moving in from behind to flank Orochimaru. The two reached him from opposite sides almost simultaneously. Kakashi thrust his short blade toward Orochimaru's chest, while Uchiha Itachi swung the Heavenly Feather Blade at his head.
"Hiss!" Orochimaru licked his lips. Just as their attacks were about to reach him, he spun around, blocking Uchiha Itachi's slash with the Kusanagi Sword while swiftly grabbing Kakashi's weapon hand with his left. Though they attacked from opposite directions, they posed no threat to Orochimaru at all.
"Too slow!" Orochimaru shot Kakashi a sidelong glance and kicked him in the stomach. He still had hold of Kakashi's wrist and didn't let go. The tremendous blow to his abdomen made Kakashi retch again, and he sank helplessly to the ground.
Kakashi's Lightning Armor couldn't even withstand Orochimaru's heavy blow.
Seeing Kakashi on the verge of losing the ability to fight,